John Mututho's bid for Nakuru governor seat ruffles feathers

National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) Chairman John Mututho has stirred the hornet's nest by saying he is going to take on Governor Kinuthia Mbugua in the Nakuru gubernatorial contest come 2017.

Mr Mututho's declaration has elicited mixed reactions in the county with some residents saying it will lead to premature campaigns.

"For now what residents want to see are services delivered by the county government and it is still too early to publicly declare interest in elections which are almost three years away," a resident, Boniface Waweru said.

The Nacada boss dropped out of the 2013 gubernatorial race at the last minute opting to instead defend his Naivasha parliamentary seat which he lost.

Speaking at the Nakuru King Makers Forum, Mr Mututho said he was duped into abandoning his gubernatorial race during the 2013 General Election with promises that President Uhuru Kenyatta wanted him to serve the nation in other capacities.

"Let everybody know that this time round, nothing will stop me from going for the highest seat in this county," he said.

According to Mututho, the county's immense economic strengths are yet to be fully utilised due to bad leadership and he has vowed to turn things round should he become the next governor.

Mututho's weekend pronouncement appears to have rattled the governor's supporters with four MPs Joseph Kiuna (Njoro), Nelson Gaichuhie (Subukia), Samuel Arama (Nakuru West) and John Kihagi (Naivasha) throwing their weight behind the governor.

"We are solidly behind the governor and if you have any evidence about corruption in the county government you should report to the anti-corruption agencies and not seek cheap publicity through the media," Kiuna said.

Respect wishes

Governor Mbugua too has, uncharacteristically, publicly taken on the Nacada boss.

"He was given that post to ensure that the sale and manufacture of illicit brews is stamped out but he has failed and our youths are getting wasted by the drinks," Mbugua said.

Speaking at a meeting attended by various local MPs the county boss said Mututho should learn to respect the wishes of the people who rejected him in the Naivasha Parliamentary seat.

He further accused the former MP of engaging in premature and disruptive campaigns aimed at distracting his administration from delivering on its pledges.

"It has always been my policy not to comment on political matters and we have an agreement with local leaders that I should concentrate on development," Mbugua said.

Mututho's declaration comes amidst a flurry of activities in the county as various camps position themselves for the 2017 polls.